Representatives of different cooperatives sealed in their support to help small cooperatives in the province.

DAVAO ORIENTAL—Bigger cooperatives here will help small cooperatives in managing its enterprise, following the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and launching of the Koop Kapatid Program.

Representatives of different cooperatives have sealed their support for the program Friday, September 7, at the Capitol Covered Court.

Elma R. Oguis, Regional Director of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), who graced the event, said that the new program will provide an opportunity to small-scale cooperatives and other groups to thrive.

She added that it also ensures the sustainability of its operations, considering that only 60% of the 167 registered cooperatives in the province are currently operating.

Regional Director Elma R. Oguis

“They [bigger cooperatives] will adopt those small groups, help them by sharing their best practices. At least they will grow with bigger coops because we do not want this small cooperative to just stop operating”, she said.

Rotchie M. Ravelo, Provincial Cooperative Development Officer, said that through the Koop Kapatid Program, small groups can compete with other cooperatives and private businesses. He said it is important for these entrepreneurs to keep going, citing its contribution to boosting the local economy.

PCDO Rotchie Ravelo

“We have to increase the number of operating cooperatives because they contribute much to the economic endeavors of the province. I am very happy that the national government under Rodrigo Duterte is very consistent in its efforts to really support the smaller groups. That’s why there’s Koop Kapatid. The bigger coops will mentor, will support and guide the smaller coops for them to grow. So it’s like mentoring and coaching. Meaning if these cooperatives have flourished then they must have done something really good in managing their cooperative and I think that technique, that system, that processes or that values can be shared if those are appropriate to smaller coops”, said Ravelo.

The MOA signing and program launching were held in time for the service caravan of the CDA. Services offered during the caravan include pre-registration seminar, online registration, and issuance of the certificate of compliance. By Riza M. Golez/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan